Sakhalin-2 operator preparing to tap new gas reserves
MOSCOW. March 5 (Interfax) - Sakhalin Energy LLC, operator of the Sakhalin-2 LNG project, which is being carried out under a production-sharing agreement and is co-owned by Russia's Gazprom and Japan's Mitsui and Mitsubishi, is preparing to tap new gas reserves.
The Lunskoye oil and gas condensate field is the main supplier of raw gas to the Sakhalin-2 LNG plant. The field, which went on stream in 2009, is being developed naturally, with the reduction of formation pressure.
Lunskoye is now at the mature stage of development, with more than half of its natural gas reserves tapped and more than 90% of the operating well stock completed. A booster compressor station has been put into operation.
The company is now developing gas deposits in blocks 2-6. Block 1 is not being developed due to its distance from the platform. Gas is produced with one offshore, ice-resistant stationary platform, Lunskaya-A (Lun-A).
Sakhalin Energy now plans to "conduct comprehensive offshore engineering surveys at the storm shelter site for the development of Block 1 of the Lunskoye field." The plan is to study the site's engineering conditions, including the topography, geological structure, and engineering-geological conditions, according to information for hearings.
In 2023, the Russian Federal Mineral Resources Agency (Rosnedra) central commission for oil and gas field development approved a new scenario for the development of Lunskoye that will make it possible to extend the period of constant production at the field by five years, until 2033, and ensure an increase in recoverable reserves equivalent to several years of production.
The new development plan is also aimed at ensuring uniform gas offtake throughout the year; evening out the formation pressure profile for the field; and increasing the well operation period between overhauls.
The Sakhalin-2 LNG plant in Prigorodny, in the southern part of Sakhalin Island, which went into operation in 2009, produced 10.2 million tonnes of LNG in 2024 and 10.3 million tonnes in 2025. Most of the project's LNG goes to Japan, South Korea and China.
